Summary
The Priestly Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) announced its plan to consecrate new bishops on July 1, even without authorization from the Holy See, a move that would likely result in automatic excommunication for all participating bishops and further harden their decades-old split with Rome. The SSPX has not consecrated new bishops since 1988 when Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre consecrated four without papal approval. This move violated canon law and led to the bishops’ automatic excommunication, which Pope Benedict XVI remitted in 2009. Despite this, the Vatican maintains that the SSPX remains in a state of “institutional irregularity.” The society’s Superior General, Father Davide Pagliarani, requested an audience with Pope Leo last August but received no response. In harmony with his council, Pagliarani has decided to proceed with consecrating new bishops on July 1. With over 700 priests and around 600,000 adherents worldwide, the SSPX maintains that it is in need of bishops due to doctrinal disagreements and a lack of formal canonical structure.
Key Topics
Papal audience, Bishop appointment, Traditional Latin Mass
